Humility...A BIG Word

Humility. What is it? What does that even look like? How do you "act humbly..." (Micah 6:8)? How do you live a life that reflects your constant acknowledgement that without Jesus you'd lost and wandering? It's something I wrestle with daily...ok, minute-ly (Yes, that is a word! Ok. No, not really. But this is a blog post, and we'll let some things slide for emphasis here!).

Humility is something I desire deeply in my life - both in myself and those around me. Whenever I start to feel a little pride building up, I'm so grateful that just a few minutes in prayer can bring back reality like a smack in the face: Without His grace and mercies afresh each day, I would really be a hot mess. Any accomplishment or achievement that I have attained in life is a GIFT FROM GOD and nothing that I could have done in my own strength or abilities. I'm a train wreck, people, when left to my own devices. I refer to "Exhibit A: My College Years" as proof. And if that's not enough, see also "Exhibit B: Three Years Post College."

I need His guidance and His power and let's be honest, His energy to make through each day. Because for real - no combo of Dr. Pepper, coffee and chocolate could get me through some of the days we've had recently. I need His voice in my head - ok, sometimes it takes a billboard, because let's face it, I'm a bit hard headed at times. But I need His direction and provision for my life. I need to lean into Him and His love and grace to get through the difficult times. I need His reassurance and praise in the happy times. And I also need the constant reminder that...

I am nothing on my own.

The words of one of my favorite songs, Give Us Clean Hands, have become a nearly constant prayer of my heart. I *might* change the plural pronouns to singular personal pronouns and sing it at the top of my lungs driving down the highway. Might.

We bow our hearts.
We bend our knees.
Oh, Spirit come make us humble.

We turn our eyes from evil things.
Oh, Lord we cast out our idols.

And while I don't really have little Buddhas sitting around in our home or a bobble head Buddha on my dash (Although that might be cool! No? Ok.), I do often set up little idols in my heart. My handsome and charming husband. My adorable and hysterical boys. My amazing and loyal friends. My church and community service. My jobs (now down to two! Whoop Whoop!). All the social media scrolling and perusing. Anything really that distracts me from focusing my heart and my energies on Christ. Those become my idols. (And I would be remiss not to take this chance to recommend Kelly Minter's No Other Gods if this is something you want to dig deeper into!)

But I have come to understand, oh-so painfully, that when I turn my eyes away from the Maker of Heaven and Earth, that's when the pride and jealousy and comparison sneak in. And drag me down to place I don't want - or need - to be.

So...(in my best Most Interesting Man in the World voice)...

Stay humble, my friends!

Forward Thinking

There are (amazingly) only 20 days left in 2012. Where has this year gone? When I look back on the year, so much has happened and so much has changed. I am grateful for the lessons learned - even if some were learned the hard way. One of the greatest lessons of this year for me has been "letting go" of a lot of things and re-priortizing my life (and time) to reflect things that have eternal significance. I am in no way in a "good" place with that, but I am in a better place than I was in 2011. 

So that has me thinking about 2013 and what I need to do to be in a better place at this time next year. What are YOUR plans for 2013? What changes do YOU want/need to make in your life? Do you have a plan of action yet? Now is the time to start thinking about these things so that when January 1 arrives, you are ready to go! Would love to hear your thoughts and plans...mine are coming soon. Stay tuned. 

Market Street 5K is in the books!

We did it! I am so proud of Jeff for his stellar finish in his first 5K. He says first and last, but I'm confident this race was just the catalyst for him to increase his intensity and distance. He's way too competitive to NOT enjoy a little racing every now and then. So, here's a recap...

We left Louisville around 6:30 a.m. to drive to Columbus. A very quiet ride over as Jeff was too sleepy and I was too focused to say much. We arrived and I immediately found the bathroom (of course!). Jeff got us registered while I took care of business. We were bummed to learn that we wouldn't be getting those matching shirts we had hoped to wear all day...darn. Pre-registration is important, people!

After finishing at the registration point, we walked out about 1/4 mile from the pavilion to the starting point to begin stretching. We struck up a great conversation with another runner who just happened to be from Louisville, too. Small racing world, huh? He was running his second 5K and was gunning for a 26 minute finish - pretty sure he made it because we could see him just a little ahead of us. Yay!! We saw a few other familiar faces before the race began and spoke with them as well.

Promptly at 8, the race began. It was an out-and-back route on a great shaded trail with little to no incline. Temperature was about 60 at the start - pretty much perfect running weather. I took off a little faster than I should have, but was determined to maintain the pace. First mile in 8:37/mile. We were staying together for the most part and trying to create some space for ourselves; we're big people and take up a lot of room when running shoulder-to-shoulder!

Around 1.4 miles, we started passing the runners on the return leg and knew we were almost to the turnaround. Second mile in 8:53/mile. During the third mile, I chose my "rabbit" and began to pick it up a bit. When I passed her, I picked another one (this one had on bright pink shorts which made her "fun" easy to chase, by the way). Third mile in 8:46/mile. We hit the last stretch already at a pretty good sprint and ran the last .1 mile in 7:43/mile. 

Our times were 27:02 and 27:05 (I think the official times were 27:07 and 27:10, but it wasn't chipped timed and they were having trouble with their card system, so I'm going with the Garmin). I finished just a few steps ahead of Jeff although I was certain his long legs would eventually pass me. 

Market Street 5K - May 2011
Columbus, MS

My goal was 27 minutes or better, so I'll definitely take 27:02 (and now start pushing for under 27!). We stuck around for the awards ceremony - just in case I placed in my age division and sure enough - 2nd place! I was shocked because there were over 200 runners this year. 

2nd place
Women 35-39

All in all, it was a great day to run and both of the Waltons were pleased. I anticipate my sweet husband will be a little sore later today or tomorrow, but I am so incredibly proud of him. Not just for finishing the race today, but for sticking with this whole running thing for the past 4 months. He's a big guy and running hasn't been easy on his body. He inspires me with his perseverance and determination to keep going!

Big shout out to the senior Waltons for keeping our boys for us, too!

** Found the pics from last year's Market Street 5K and a before/after post is coming soon! WOW!

My Inspiration and My Friend...

One year ago today, I ran my first 5K. It was the Old Cotton Mill Classic that wound through the streets (and up the hills!) of the MSU campus. Eli was just 11 weeks old, and I had been running all of 5 weeks when the race began. I would love to write about this amazing experience of triumph and victory, and share that I was able to run all 3.1 miles at a record-breaking speed...but it wasn't that and I wasn't fast.

I struggled the entire course, and I think I finished in just under 35 minutes. My friend and colleague, Karyn Brown, was there with me every step of the way. She walked with me when the hills got the best of me. She encouraged and pushed me all at the same time. She slowed me down when I got the urge to rush near the end because she knew we had one more hill to climb. We had run several times together before that day and she always shared tips and advice that helped her complete her first 5K (and several more after!). I am forever grateful to her for holding me accountable when I didn't "love" to run. 

As I "celebrate" my one-year racing anniversary, I am so grateful that I have had many people along the way to encourage and inspire me...but none more than my friend. Thank you, Karyn! Can't wait to run together again soon!

A side note: Karyn is a new mom to the most adorable little boy! Diwas Brown made the long trip from Nepal with his proud parents several months ago and is loving life with his new family! If you'd like to follow their difficult but amazing journey, The Brown Family blogs at New Brown Child.